Gate-latch



(No Model.)

J. T. LEWIS.

GATE LATCH.

No. 559,296, Patented Apr. 28, 1896.

ATENT OFFICE.

JOHN r. LEWIS, or OAIIIARPIN, VIRGINIA.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,296, dated April 28, 1896. Application filed January 30, 1896. Serial No. 577,430. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN T. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oatharpin, in the county of Prince illiam and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and usef Lil Improvements in Latches for Gates; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in gate-latches, and espccially to a novel construction whereby a series of latches are pivoted to a gate-post and have their rear ends pivoted to a vertical bar or strip which has its upper end pivoted to a double handle-bar, which in turn is pivoted to the gate-post, by which construction the pivoted end of the gate-latches may be raised by a person standing on one side of thegate by depressing one end of the said double lever-bar, while a person standing on the other side of the gateraises the pivoted end of the latches by raising up the opposite end of the lever-bar ordouble handle-bar.

By my simple construction of latches,which may be readily applied to any ordinary con struction of gate, I am able to simultaneously release the latches, which are so pivoted to the gate-post that the free hooked end of each latch will engage underthe parallel strips'or boards of the gate and allow the gate to freely swing.

To these ends and to such others as the in vention may pertain the same consists, further, in the novel construction, combination, I

and adaptation of the parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and then specifically defined in the appended claim.

.I clearly illustrate my invention in the accom panying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which drawings similar letters of reference indicate like parts in both viewspin which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gate 113V": ing applied thereto a latch embodying my i11- vention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 with latch open.

Referring to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates a gate-post, to which is hinged the gate B of any suitable construction. Secured to the face of the post C at suitable intervals are the latches I), having hooked portions. These latches are pivoted on pins E, each having an end seated in the post and its other end carried in a yoke G, which is secured to the post in any suitable manner. The forward free end of each latch is beveled away, and the notch K on the upper side is of sufiicient size to fit under the board or strip of the gate to lock the gate shut. The number of latches may diiter, as there may be one for each board of the gate. However, I show but two, which will illustrate the principle of my invention. The rear end of each of the said latches is pivoted to a bar M, and N is a bar having a handle portion at each end. This lever or bar is pivoted on a pin carried on the yoke R and the post 0, and the bar M is pivoted to the saidhandled bar.

It will be observed that the handle or lever N is pivoted to the gate-post at one side of its middle portion, and when it is desired to open the gate from one side the lever is depressed, while from the opposite side of the gate the operator has to raise the opposite end of the lever, as will be readily understood.

Owing to the simpleness of the construction of my invention it will be seen that it can be applied to any ordinary construction of panel-gates in which the strips run horizontally, or in case of gates having vertical panels cleats or strips may be provided, with which the latches may engage.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A gate-catch consisting of the latches D pivoted between the yokes G and post 0, and notched 011 their upper edges near their free ends, combined with the lever M, having pivotal connection with the rear ends of the said catches, and the handle-bar, secured to the said post, and to which bar is pivoted the upper end of the said lever M, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN T. LEWIS. lVitnesses:

HARRY Y. DAVIS, FRANKLIN H. HOUGH. 

